What’s Happening?

Unfortunately, not everyone in the NASCAR world can fulfill sky-high hopes and expectations. Today, we look at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the five most disappointing drivers of the season so far.

• To be included, drivers must perform below what they were expected in the pre-season. If a driver is towards the bottom of the standings, but either people expected them to be there or it’s been a pattern beyond just this season, they’re not necessarily disappointing as much as they’re performing to expectations.
• Drivers towards the middle or top of the standings might also be included if they are below what people expect. If someone is consistently a Championship contender and suddenly struggles to make the Playoffs, they could be included on this list.
• Just because a driver is on this list doesn’t mean they cannot turn their season around. However, that opportunity is fleeting, with the Truck Series Playoffs only one race away.

Layne Riggs

Layne Riggs finally got his shot at the NASCAR National Touring Series level this year, and it’s been a rough go. Some bad results have been out of his control, such as getting disqualified at Atlanta and being spun out by everyone in sight at Martinsville. However, others have been self-inflicted, such as incurring a penalty for intentionally wrecking Stefan Parsons at Nashville and wrecking after qualifying in the top 10 at Texas.

Now, Riggs is in a must-win situation at Richmond. He’s shown some promise on short tracks with top-fives at IRP and North Wilkesboro this season. A win at Richmond might save his season.

Jake Garcia

Jake Garcia impressed in 22 Truck Series races in 2023 with nine top-10s. This year, he’s regressed with only two top-10s and no top-fives in the first 15 races for ThorSport. In fairness, ThorSport as a whole has struggled this season with only one win, coming at IRP with Ty Majeski.

Garcia is still young, being only 19 years old. While this year has been far from the year he wanted, he still has some time to develop as a racer.

Ty Dillon

Rackley W.A.R. signing Truck Series race winner Ty Dillon was considered a major steal in Silly Season. Many expected Dillon to win a race and compete for the Truck Series Playoffs. He has one top-10 finish and barely hangs onto the top 20 in points.

Dillon has not found the same form he had in the series in the early 2010s when he won three races. Some could blame the equipment, but Rackley W.A.R. made the Playoffs in 2023 and won a race in 2022. What went wrong?

Matt Crafton

Matt Crafton is on pace for his worst points finish since he finished 14th in 2006. He hasn’t won a race since 2020, but he’s always found his way into the top 10 in points during those years. Now, he needs a win to get into the Playoffs post-Richmond.

The 48-year-old might have his best years in the rearview mirror. We will see if he can bounce back in 2025.

Chase Purdy

While Nick Sanchez and Rajah Caruth have enjoyed career years with Spire Motorsports and the Spire-affiliated Rev Racing, Chase Purdy has lagged behind. The lone full-time driver to survive the KBM buyout is not improving.

He sits 14th in points and has regressed in every major statistical category to this point. If Purdy continues to struggle, will he have a ride with Spire for long>

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